Stars shine in thrilling overtime game in Delaware
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Salesianum School is a local powerhouse with an overflowing trophy case and a long list of successful alumni while the Phelps School is a relative newcomer in the world of high level prep soccer but the two teams met Saturday…
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Continue ReadingSalesianum School is a local powerhouse with an overflowing trophy case and a long list of successful alumni while the Phelps School is a relative newcomer in the world of high level prep soccer but the two teams met Saturday night in Delaware in a match that has the makings of a budding rivalry.
Phelps School, the Malvern, Pa.-based private boys school, is looking to replicate some of their success in basketball with soccer. They launched a full-year program this fall and hired experienced division 1 college coach Evan Prybutok. He’s compiled a talented roster of international players along with some local day students from local clubs.
The jewel of the incoming players who led Phelps to a 9-0-0 start (including a win over the Philadelphia Union Development Squad) is Ghanaian attacker Collins Oduro. The 2023 grad flashed his skill in the final third on Saturday night with penetrating runs at the back line and delivered a lovely strike in the 64th minute to give the visitors a 2-1 lead in the second half. Eliot Beaumale, a 2023 grad from France, was also involved in the goal, setting up Oduro with a backheel pass. Beaumale and classmate and countryman Justin Schweitzer had Phelps on the front foot for much of the night with their technical skill and passing in the attack. Damon Keller, a 2023 from United Arab Emirates/Switzerland scored the first half equalizer in the 32nd minute on a shot in the box set up by a long Esteban Colange (2023) free kick.
On the Sallies side, reigning Delaware State Player of the Year Jake Ross Jake Ross F Salesianum (DE) | 2023 State PA (2023) had all three goals, including the dramatic overtime winner off a lovely threaded pass from Jacob Sorrells (2023). Central defender Justin Hinds (2024) was also involved in the play that led to the golden goal and was strong in the defense along with senior Tanner Brentlinger Tanner Brentlinger D Salesianum (DE) | 2023 PA in front of senior goalkeeper Zachary Bittner Zachary Bittner GK DE .
Ross’s star turn may not have come to be had he been shown red instead of yellow for a very late challenge early in the first half. His first goal followed soon after he came back on from the yellow card substitution. The goal was a perfectly placed free kick. His second was a poached goal off a mistake from Phelps goalkeeper Joe Wilkinson (2023). Junior forward Aiden Gonzalez Aiden Gonzalez M DE was credited with an assist on the goal.
Wilkinson recovered well from the mishap and made two clutch saves to deny the hosts from a regulation win. Phelps also walked a bit of a tight rope when a yellow was shown on a possible last man back foul that set Ross up with a free kick from a dangerous spot that was blocked by the wall.
The Sallies improved to 6-1-0 on the season with the overtime win. Their lone loss came to the Delaware rival that ended their decade-long state title streak back in 2020: Appoquinimink. Phelps School is now 9-1-0 on the year.